Hey guys. Here's another chapter of Delicate II. Enjoy.

The sun was high in the bright blue sky, all the inhabitants of the Pridelands were busy with their daily lives and routines.

While at priderock, an important council was going on. The topic? The new queen was expecting.

Simba sat quietly, listening to the commotion going on inside the small cave near the slope. Before he stood and roared. Silencing any and all arguments.

The golden lion took deep breaths before sitting back down. "It's simple enough. Many may not like it but, it's the law and it's what's right."

Sherise glanced at her mother before turning her dark purple eyes on the elder lion. "The right thing is for this cub to be heir? But what about Skye and Sianna? Adrien and Javion?"

Sarabi stepped up with experienced orange eyes. "King Mohatu was the second queen of the Pridelands, Queen Isa's second cub but with her mate and the king of the Pridelands. The cub she or her mate had before, didn't have any claims to the throne. Because they were born before Isa became queen or before Isa married Mohatu's father."

Kiara looked at her daughter who looked unsure. "I know how it sounds, but talk to them with Luis. But it's only right. The girls and Luis' sons were born before you were queen and together with Luis. By any standard, the throne is this new cub's birthright."

Sherise looked away at that and hoped that the cubs she and Luis already had seen it that way.

...

It's been a few weeks since finding out she was pregnant. She told Luis first and about what happened at the council. Her mate was thrilled, but now Sherise figured it would be best to speak to Sianna alone and first.

Her dark gold pelted daughter has been more exclusive lately. And it's troubling to think about, but she'll do anything to keep history from repeating itself.

Queen Sherise sat at the peak of priderock watching with a pleased smile as Zendaya and Kiran strolled along the path of the waterhole. Leaning onto one another as they nuzzled and laughed.

"At least they're happy.."

Sherise looked over her shoulder to see Sianna with her head low and ears pinned. Her eyes were puffy and had fresh coat of tears. "Oh Sie, what happened?"

The dark gold six month cub turned her head with clouded emotions in her dark purple eyes. "Is it true? That you're pregnant? And this new hairball will be heir?"

Sherise sighed before placed a paw around her daughter. "I'm sorry you found at like this. But yes, this cub will born while I'm queen and Luis is king."

Sianna broke away and stood. "I don't even know about my own father. But what little I got your new mate kills him. Now you and his brat will be the next ruler." with a growl, Sianna turned and headed for the slope.

Sherise didn't know what to do so she let Sianna be alone for awhile. The dark brown lioness before lowering her head as she turned back to gaze on her kingdom. She was so deep in thought that she didn't realize someone else had joined her until they laid their head against hers.

"What's got you so far away, love?" came the deep, raspy voice of the king.

Sherise smiled lightly before leaning into the large creamy white lion. "I really feel bad. Sianna is upset and I don't know what to do."

Luis nuzzled his mate before following the queen's gaze. "Sianna is a headstrong girl. Like her mother. She'll come through in her own time."

Sherise was still skeptical. But the queen soon caught sight of her new majordomo, Zara. The dark brown lioness frowned as the purple hornbill fluttered in front of her.

"My queen, there's been a accident on the hunting grounds."

Hunting grounds. Sherise's dark purple eyes widened. "My mother and great grandmothers are hunting. Are they..."

Zara looked down before opening her yellowish beak to respond. "The former queen is fine. But I'm afraid that Sarafina and Sarabi didn't make it."

Sherise closed her eyes and sobbed. Luis wrapped a thick arm around his weeping mate, Sherise leaned closer and cried in the king's black mane.

...

Sianna ran and ran until she finally collapsed from exhaustion. She wasn't sure where she was until she heard the sound of a dry twig snapping as though someone or something stepped on it.

Her eyes still filled with tears, Sianna turned around to bump into something solid. She wiped her eyes with the back of her paw before looking up to see a pair of leafy green eyes looking at her. She moved her eyes from the intense gaze to see that she had to run into a greyish pelted male with a black mane.

"Who are you?" Sianna gasped stepping back.

"A friend." the male smiled.

Sianna rolled her eyes and scoffed. "Friend? I don't even know you!"

The male nodded with a small grin forming. "Fair enough. My name is Dijon and I have been watching you, young Sianna."

"Watching...me?" Sianna was confused as well as afraid.

Dijon nodded as he stepped forward only for Via to step back. "You seek your mother's love, the throne...but this new cub is going to steal them from right under you."

While Dijon was speaking, his words put Sianna in a trance. Sianna smirked, taking the opportunity to wrap a paw around the cub and bring her close. As he breathed in her ear.

"Don't it makes you mad? Upset? Angry?"

Sianna nodded before turning to look at Dijon, their black noses practically touching. "Yes,"

"How about we eliminate the those obstacles?" Dijon purred, placing a charming smile on his muzzle.

The bait was set. All he had to now is watch Sherise's perfect world fall apart.